Newport News schools

The Newport News School Board will hear about middle school athletics and high school graduation coaches at its 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting in the administration building board room, 12465 Warwick Blvd.

The board also will consider a change to its 2010 meeting calendar, moving a work session on the 2010-11 budget from Feb. 23 to March 9.

District officials requested the change because of "the uncertainty around any budget revisions that the new governor may propose" that might change or deepen the budget proposed by former Gov. Timothy M. Kaine, according to the meeting agenda posted on the district's Web site. Officials are concerned that any changes Gov. Bob McDonnell might propose and the longer General Assembly session could mean major amendments to the district's proposed budget.

Assistant Superintendent Mary Lou Roaseau estimated the district faces potential state funding cuts of more than $15 million, based on Kaine's budget. The School Board's public hearing for the 2010-11 budget would remain on March 16 as scheduled, with a vote set for March 23. The district must submit a board-approved budget to the City Council on April 1.

The school division recently expanded its after-school athletics programs to include basketball, volleyball and track at the middle school. The funds for those programs, which need minimal equipment, came from money that would have covered the high school gymnastics program, which was cut this year. School administrators decided to introduce the programs in an effort to boost school involvement, improve attendance and encourage students to keep up their grades so they could participate. Athletic Director Dick Tyson will discuss how the programs are going.

Newport News used federal stimulus funds to hire 10 graduation coaches to work with students at risk of failing to graduate and with special education students to help them earn standard or advanced rather than modified diplomas. The coaches work with more than 400 students, meeting with them regularly and enrolling them in credit recovery, after school and other programs to help them meet graduation requirements. Students are referred to the coaches by teachers, counselors, attendance officers and administrators.

The mix of students referred to the coaches includes over-age freshmen, students who are 16-18 but with so few credits that they are at least three years from graduation without intervention and support. They also include students who have failed core classes and need to make up those credits and those with attendance problems affecting their grades.

The district developed the fledgling program based on one used in Georgia schools. Michael Evans, executive director of secondary education, will give the report.

Want to go?

• 7 p.m. Tuesday meeting at

12465 Warwick Blvd. in the board room

• Agenda is available at: boarddocs.com/vsba/nnps/Board.nsf/Public?OpenFrameSet